FAIRFIELD, Conn — The Columbia field hockey team improved to 5-0 to tie the best start in program history after topping Fairfield, 2-1, Friday on the road. The Lions matched the mark set in 2008 and will have a chance to establish a new standard Sunday, September 19 against Colgate at home.

"We've been teaching a lot of new systems and today was the game where we tasked them with playing our game against this opponent," head coach Katie DeSandis '13CC said. "We worked through the ups-and-downs of the game really well and that's what propelled us forward. We talk about capitalizing on your chances and it was important to get ahead early today. Getting scored on can be deflating, but the mindset is different with this group. They are confident that they can bounce right back and they've proven that time and time again this season."
 
Isabella Collins provided the game-winner in the 38^th minute, stunning the Stags (3-4) after they had tied the score of a penalty stroke 23 seconds earlier in the third quarter.
 
Alexa Conomikes earned the win in goal to keep her individual record perfect at 5-0. The senior from Pittsburgh was credited with a pair of saves on the afternoon.
 
Columbia started to take things over about five minutes into the first quarter. The Lions controlled possession in the attacking end and went up 1-0 when Brooke Gasser's work down the right side and centering pass led to a Sophie Rockefeller one-timer in the sixth minute. The score was Rockefeller's third of the season and kept Columbia's streak of scoring first in each game intact.
 
The Lions continue to dictate the pace the remainder of the half, but could not expand the advantage into the locker room. Columbia's pressure held Fairfield without a shot until the 25^th minute and had a 7-2 edge in tries after 30 minutes.
 
In the second half, the Stags were finally able to settle into things offensively and were able to draw a corner in the 37^th minute. After an initial shot was block a fouled occurred in the circle and Fairfield was awarded a penalty stroke that Malen Iglesias converted to even things up. But like they have done all year long, the Lions responded swiftly.
 
Columbia marched right back down the field on the start and a long shot by Anabelle Brodeur on the right side was kicked away by the Stags' keeper Zoe Rosen. Collins was positioned perfectly in front and buried the chance to put the score back in the Lions' favor just 23 seconds later.
 
The Lions played strong defense in the fourth quarter and held on to the one-goal lead the rest of the way. Fairfield was held mainly to the perimeter in the final 15 and Alexa Conomikes only had to make one kick save from a long shot from the left corner.
 
The Lions' matchup with the Raiders is set for a 12 p.m. start at the Baker Athletics Complex. Columbia will be playing in honor of Rick Holzinger - father of junior Lucy Holzinger - who passed away in March 2021 from brain cancer. The Holzinger family has formed ties with the Broach Foundation, an organization that has raised over $6 million dollars for research within the last 10 years. Prior to the game, the Lions will wear special warm-up shirts with the Foundation's name and logo. To support the Broach Foundation, please visit www.thebroachfoundation.org/donate.
 
All fans planning on attending Sunday's contest must be vaccinated and are required to wear a mask. For Columbia's complete venue policies, please click here. The game will also be broadcast live on ESPN+.
 
For the latest on Columbia field hockey, follow @CULionsFH on social media and GoColumbiaLions.com for more updates.